[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-13":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Lord of the Proles",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2290311,4478,"Chapter 13: He Jiaqing","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-13",13,"\u003Cp>No phone, no internet, the train broke down, and Li Banfeng simply sat quietly in the carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng only felt bored; the other passengers were far worse off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning, they could still endure it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By noon, they could barely hold on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By nightfall, they could no longer bear it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a special kind of person who, if they went a single day without food, might die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such people were called Food Cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me off! I’ll curse your ancestors—I’m starving to death!” A Food Cultivator was wrestling with a crew member.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t talk to me about rules—I need food, I can’t starve to death here!” Another Food Cultivator rushed forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the fighting was fierce, Li Banfeng could tell the crew member’s demeanor was extremely restrained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir, please return to your carriage!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud! A muffled sound, and the passenger’s words grew less intense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir, the train has not reached its station; you cannot disembark mid-journey.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud! Another muffled sound, and the other passenger’s emotions calmed somewhat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir, the entire crew extends our deepest apologies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud! A third muffled sound—the third passenger fell completely silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crew member escorted the passengers back to their carriages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crew member closed each carriage door one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the first day, Li Banfeng heard of six similar incidents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The number was manageable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from Food Cultivators, others could survive a day without food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the second evening, the situation spiraled out of control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bro, you’re so handsome and kind-hearted—just let me off for a moment, I’ll be right back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Madam, the train has not reached its station; you cannot disembark mid-journey.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bro, I’ll only be gone a moment—five minutes, not even five minutes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Madam, this is our rule—I’m just following procedure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rules are rigid, but people are flexible. Bro, I’m drawn to men like you—just give your little sister five minutes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for your compliment, madam. Please return to your carriage immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m getting off—I won’t starve to death here—I’ll fight you to the death!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding-dong! Ding-dong!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someone help! He’s hitting a woman! Are there any men from Pulu Province? Fight him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pulu Province!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Pulu Province!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng took a bite of instant noodles, genuinely curious what Pulu Province looked like.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, the crew member endured thirteen mob attacks but still managed to persuade all passengers back to their carriages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the third day, things quieted down somewhat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t that they didn’t want to cause trouble—they simply lacked the strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three days without food left few with the energy to riot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even those with strength dared not waste it—they knew they were no match for the crew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng stayed in his carriage, moved little, and two packs of instant noodles a day were enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this couldn’t go on forever. By night, only five packs of noodles remained, and Li Banfeng grew anxious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How long would this train remain stopped?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap-tap-tap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A knock came at the door. Li Banfeng raised his eyebrows, alert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been hungry before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew what hungry people were capable of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knock was light, the voice outside polite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Friend inside, I beg for a bite to eat—I won’t ask for much, just one bite. I can go without—I want to give it to my wife and child.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng stood one step from the door, holding a strip of spicy jerky and a thermos, waiting for the man’s next move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man made no move; his tone remained gentle: “Friend, I know food is precious. I won’t take it for free—I’ll pay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pay?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this situation, how much money could buy you food?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man seemed to realize his mistake and quickly corrected himself: “I’ll trade food for yours—I beg you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng spoke: “If you have food, why trade with me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because I can’t let my child eat this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll hand you the food first—just open the door a crack.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng’s heart pounded. After a long silence, he unlocked the door and opened it just a sliver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t recklessness—it was caution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wouldn’t let the man enter the carriage, but he owed him a chance to negotiate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he hadn’t seen the man’s face, his voice carried a peculiar aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every word the man spoke was humble, yet steady and calm beneath it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As an orphan who had fought bullying, Li Banfeng had dealt with all kinds of people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sensed this man could enter his carriage—and do so without the crew noticing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This door couldn’t stop him. Better to show some sincerity than to barricade himself behind it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the crack, the man handed over his food first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the sight of that “food,” Li Banfeng silently praised himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng, you’re a brave man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You didn’t scream out loud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a dark blue-black object—part flesh, part bone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the arrangement and number of bones, it was a hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whose hand is this?” Li Banfeng asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mine,” the man answered calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng stared at the hand, half-eaten, turned, fetched two packs of instant noodles, and passed them out through the crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This far exceeded the man’s expectations—he hadn’t dared hope for even one pack; he’d only asked for a bite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Too much… you don’t need to…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take it. Take your hand back,” Li Banfeng handed the hand to the man. “Find a hospital—maybe it can still be reattached. It should be possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng locked the door. Outside, a string of thanks poured forth:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, thank you, thank you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice was low and polite, but no longer steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It trembled, as if on the verge of tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the voice faded into distance, Li Banfeng returned to his bunk, opened his backpack, and counted his remaining food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three packs of instant noodles, one bag of chips, half a pack of spicy jerky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enough to last two days. If rationed, perhaps three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What then after three days?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At dawn, a whistle pierced the air, jolting the weary passengers awake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The train started moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huff~ huff~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to the rhythmic breath of the steam engine, Li Banfeng thought it the most beautiful music in the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The train lurched violently, hurling Li Banfeng off his bunk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instant noodles, chips, jerky, backpack—all tumbled to the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom! Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The train continued shaking. Li Banfeng curled into a corner, arms over his head, protecting his vital organs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought the train was derailing again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few moments of jolting, the train steadied. The announcer’s voice came through: “The train has resolved its malfunction and is now traveling safely. The track is uneven—please remain seated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng exhaled deeply and quickly gathered his food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instant noodles, chips, spicy jerky—all intact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The backpack is gone!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing’s package is still inside!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng was startled and immediately searched around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage remained pitch black; the power had not been restored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After searching for a while, Li Banfeng finally felt the backpack beneath the bunk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The space beneath the bunk was narrow; Li Banfeng reached in, pulled hard, and the backpack came out—but the package inside was stuck beneath the bunk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled too hard and forgot the backpack’s zipper was open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached down, groped for the package, and found it tightly wedged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng shoved his entire arm beneath the bunk and yanked hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riiip!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The package came free.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The outer cardboard box was torn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the box, the bubble wrap was also torn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is the contents inside still intact?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng took the package to the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He should open it—since it was already damaged, if the contents were ruined, he’d at least need to inform He Jiaqing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the intermittent light filtering through the curtains, Li Banfeng opened the package.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He unwrapped the cardboard box, removed the bubble wrap, and found another layer of aluminum foil inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He peeled off the aluminum foil, revealing a layer of yellow paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He removed the yellow paper, revealing a layer of oil paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He peeled off the oil paper, revealing a layer of silk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he finally lifted the silk, Li Banfeng saw the object’s true form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is this thing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the dim light, Li Banfeng could not immediately identify it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked like a flower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked like a copper lotus flower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: At noon, twelve o’clock, there’s still\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1396,"2026-06-20T03:43:13.043Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","fc0c78ac577aea8f64d2f3e3aad46708b3b36606bdd9e94bb510ea962a1f7f96","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-14","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-12",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]